Grammy nominations suggest it will be Sam Smith's year

 Sam Smith: grabbing Grammys, not foreheads Photograph: PR
As the exhaustive list of Grammy nominations – there are a bum-numbing 83 categories in total – are slowly trickled out via an awkward press conference and the medium of Twitter, it’s clear already that the evening of 8 February 2015 will likely be a successful one for British balladeer Sam Smith.
Smith, as well as being nominated for the prestigious record of the year for his ubiquitous Stay With Me, also got a nod for the accompanying album In the Lonely Hour. The third-biggest-selling album of 2014 in the US, it is up for best pop vocal album, while Smith is also in the running for best new artist (alongside fellow UK act Bastille) and best pop solo performance. A gambler would probably say he was a shoo-in for best new artist, and the generally risk-adverse Grammy panel will likely see fit to give him an album of the year nod, a category to be announced at a concert tonight.
Perhaps the most surprising thing about the list of Grammy nominations, in any year, is the distinct lack of surprises. More so than the UK equivalent the Brits, the Grammys are a direct reflection of what’s happening on the charts, which may explain the lack of nominations so far for Lady Gaga’s Artpop. This phenomenon is shown most clearly in the record of the year category, which mirrors the recent female dominance of the Billboard top five with nominations – alongside Smith – for Iggy and Charli’s Fancy (No 1 for seven weeks), Sia’s Chandelier, Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off (No 1 for three weeks), and Meghan Trainor’s novelty ode to the larger bottom, All About That Bass (No 1 for eight weeks).
Nominations are all well and good, but it’s obviously nice to actually walk off with a nice new book-end, and this new batch of nominations gives hope to two pop stars yet to adorn their mantlepieces with a replica gold gramophone. So while Miley Cyrus’s nomination for best pop vocal album for Bangerz represents her first nod, she’ll be up against a fairly desperate Katy Perry, who has so far failed to hear her name called despite 11 previous nominations. Mind you, world-dominating acoustic troubadour and all-round good egg Ed Sheeran is also in that category, so they likely don’t stand a chance.
It will be interesting to see how 17-time Grammy winner Beyoncé fares as the list of nominations is slowly and painfully revealed. So far she’s bagged herself one nomination for her self-titled stealth release (she’s up for best urban contemporary album), and while it dominated the early part of 2014, it might have faded from memory just enough to lose out on some of the bigger awards still remaining.

One person who has dominated the last few months is Taylor Swift. While her 1989 album is ineligible for any nominations this year (it was released after the 30 September deadline, so expect it to do quite well at the 2016 awards), she has already bagged herself two nominations for the un-killable Shake it Off. So far, when it comes to pop, there are no alarms and no surprises, but the undeniable sense that Sam Smith’s career is about to go properly interstellar.

The ELLE.com By-the-Crowd Thanksgiving Movie Suggester

Photo: Courtesy of Studios

We've all been there. You've got a motley crew huddled around the TV, one mope on remote control duty, and a million different opinions on what constitutes "the perfect movie." Here, we've taken the guesswork out of the operation by skipping all the "Wait, you've seriously never seen The Shawshank Redemption??!" mumbo jumbo and getting to the "Hey babe, while you're up?" bit. You're welcome!

THE CROWD: Cool Mom, Cool Dad, Siblings, Plus-Ones, Sextaholic Tween Cousins, Aunt Tryptophan
THE FLICK: 22 Jump Street (2014)

Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

THE REASONING: Unless your parents are ultra conservative or, you know, fuddy duddies, the golden Hill-Tatum chemistry in this still-good remake can cut through most varieties of family tension. (Suggested pairing: Bud Lights.)

THE CROWD: You and Dad THE FLICK: Chef (2014)

Photo: Courtesy of Open Road Films

THE REASONING: It's not a perfect movie, but it has its moments. Moments that you and Dad can share while the family dog snores loudly by the fire. (Suggested pairing: An oaky red.)

THE CROWD: You and Mom THE FLICK: Notting Hill (1999)

Photo: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

THE REASONING: Seen it one million times? Even better. Hugh Grant + Julia Roberts + Foggy London Town + Rhys Ifans + Horse and Hound + "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone" = Slam Dunk. Every time.

THE CROWD: Your New Boyfriend’s Uptight-but-Tightly Knit Family THE FLICK: The Apartment (1960)

Photo: Courtesy of United Artists

THE REASONING: A full-of-gumption, sparkly eyed Shirley MacLaine and an oh-shucks, neurotic Jack Lemmon make for a handsome pair in this charming, sartorially inspiring classic.

THE CROWD: You, Your Girlfriends, A To-Go Bottle of Sauvignon Blanc THE FLICK: Beyond the Lights (2014)

Photo: Courtesy of Relativity Media

THE REASONING: Feel like getting out of the house? Grab your best gal pals, a bottle of Sauv B, and some Solo cups, and head to your local cineplex for a well-acted newbie that's as satisfying as the first few pages of a shiny, new Us Weekly.

THE CROWD: You, Grandpa, Uncle Greg, Uncle Greg’s Rando Friend (Optional: Inclement Weather, Brown Liquor) THE FLICK: 12 Angry Men (1957)

Photo: Courtesy of United Artists

THE REASONING: A masterfully written (and especially timely) film about the influence prejudice and social coercion can have over a hung jury. (Suggested pairing: bourbon.)

THE CROWD: Your Friends From High School With Whom You Share Less and Less These Days THE FLICK: Unfaithful (2002)

Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

THE REASONING: Talk about an iiiiiiiiice breaker.

THE CROWD: All Ages THE FLICK: The Way, Way Back (2013)

Photo: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

THE REASONING: A solid, bittersweet, coming-of-age story in which everyone can find bits of their own adolescence.

THE CROWD: All God’s Creatures THE FLICK: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

THE REASONING: Wait, you've seriously never seen The Shawshank Redemption??!

Here Are Some Great Dancing Party Ideas

Dancing is not merely a terrific pastime or a occupation for the more competitive dancer it can be a terrific source of enjoyment which can make practically any party or function a time to remember. This happens because dancing causes the release of endorphins within the body creating a feeling of euphoria or wellbeing.

Dancing parties also provide great scope for the imagination, especially since there are an infinite number of themes you could choose from. Furthermore you can include further excitement to the get together simply by dressing up in dance outfits that will appeal to children of all ages.

The sort of celebration will usually depend on your finances. If you have the cash for you to splash out then you could hold a sizable party deciding on a venue, caterers, Band / DJ's etc whilst if the budget is tight a party your own house using your stereo system.

They're probably the most recognized type of get together, particularly for teenagers where by they're able to dress up in 70′s dancing outfits for example; or go to the other extreme with a luau party theme in which the ladies dress in hula skirts and the men in Hawaiian shirts.

Dance is one of the best activities that children can do because it makes their minds healthier as well as their bodies. No matter what style of dance they are participating in, they are developing their co-ordination, strength and flexibility and building stamina. Listening to the rhythm in the music and memorizing a sequence of steps gives their brain a workout too.

With regards to selecting the most suitable dancing costumes to wear you may either select a complete dancing costume or possibly design your very own out of an assortment of several types of clothes to go along with the subject of your celebration.

Young kids, particularly little girls usually opt for fairy or ballerina kids costumes. Adults may go for more comical outfits like a fuzzy chicken or something sexy such as a Dance Queen or Disco Fever costume.

When it comes to Do it yourself outfits, combination's of dancewear clothing such as disco pants, go-go boots, leotards and even Michael Jackson jackets may be used in a number of combination's. Additionally for the girls that desire to be the belle of the ball and look truly hot whilst giving off a hint of mystery then why not consider wearing some sensuous belly dance clothes.

There Are A Few Great Formal Dinner Party Ideas

We all love spending time at a dinner party with friends and family. But being the host of such a formal dinner party can come with the pressure of standing up to your guests' expectations of delicious food and great times. A formal dinner party is an ideal opportunity to share the comfort of your home with others, as well as the perfect stage for introducing new people into your circle of friends. Set the stage with irresistible dinner party invitations. Then with good company, good food and good wine – you'll have all the makings of a perfect evening. Here are some tips to help you plan your formal dinner party.

Organizing a proper budget for your formal dinner party is a must. You should keep in mind the amount that will be spent on food and beverages such as wine or liquor, as well as any party supplies which you may require. Remember that the most expensive brands of food aren't necessarily the best, so skip on fancy packaging and go for casual stuff. Even the smallest dinner parties can be elegant affairs if the right amount of care and attention is paid during the planning stages.

Dinner parties can be easy relaxed gatherings or formal dressed affairs. What ever the occasion be, try to be clear about who to invite, the menu of the party, the budget etc.

Once the pre-planning is done and you are prepared with the list of guests you want to invite, you are ready for the invitations. For a formal party the best way to invite your guests is by sending out formal dinner invitations a couple of weeks in advance. For sending out online invites, select a formal dinner theme and customize it by including date, time, your address, and contact information. Explain the event, as the guests need to know exactly what you're inviting them to and what the purpose of the gathering is. Decide ahead of time what you will say to guests who ask what to bring when they RSVP. "Bring yourself!" is a standard answer. Lastly, request a response so that you will know how many people are attending.

As this is a formal party, you should plan an elaborate menu and use dinnerware. In general you should plan to serve 2 to 3 appetizers, salad, a main course and 2 side dishes or vegetables. To finish the dinner, be sure to offer a delicious dessert. It is also a good idea to have several beverage choices available throughout the evening. Remember that a formal dinner party is not the time to try out a new or challenging recipe. A week or two before the party, do some general cleaning. If there are any dishes you can cook ahead and freeze, now is the time. Another excellent idea is to prepare cold appetizers and desserts so that they are not taking up precious oven space.

In the hour before your gathering, set out non-perishable drinks and beverages and take care of any last minute cooking. Put out the ice bucket and remaining perishables just before your guests arrive. If you choose to play music, turn it on at this time. Remember to play a wide variety to keep everyone happy. For added ambiance you can light a few candles. After the meal be sure to offer mints and a nice liqueur or dessert wine. Coffee is also excellent with dessert and will help give finality to the meal.

Set your dining table with your best linen, china and silverware. Formal dinner parties are among the few opportunities we have to treat our guests to a complete dining experience. You could set your table a day in advance or the night before the dinner, as this will give you enough time to attend to other finer details before the guests start arriving.

At a formal party the best way to keep your guests entertained is by arranging for some simple games. Even a formal dinner party can use games. Try putting winning tags on the bottoms of certain plates, so that the person with that plate receives a prize. Another option may be to have random drawings and door prizes. Even something as simple as two truths and a lie over dessert can be a fun way to learn new things about your guests. Keeping your guests engaged during the party will surely make your dinner more of a success.

If you are the guest to a formal dinner party, it is always nice to bring along a special gift for the host. Flowers and candies are always good options. As the host of a dinner party, it is often nice to give gifts for the guests to take home as well. This is especially true if you are hosting a corporate dinner party.

How to Hire Corporate Entertainment

For many people, hiring entertainment for a corporate event can be an overwhelming task. The entertainment you select has to be professional and suited for all audiences. On the other hand, it is easy to get stuck in the corporate rut of doing “the same old thing” year after year.
How important is keeping your existing clients and employees for your organization? Showing appreciation to clients and your staff can boost morale, strengthen business relationships and help your company grow. Having the right entertainment at your event will accomplish that!
So how do you break from the ordinary and book entertainment that is new and engaging for your group? Below are some suggestions to make the hiring process easier for you.

1. Plan Your Event
Plan how would like the evening to go. If you know the exact type of entertainment you are having, then plan the event around that entertainment. Otherwise, plan out time for the different events and make a time-table. If you haven’t decided on the entertainment then be sure to leave some room in your time-table for adjustments. The setup of the room can vary depending on the performer you desire, and the itinerary can change as well.
2. Know Your Budget
Know how much you can spend on entertainment before approaching entertainers to find out about their acts. What you can spend on an entertainer will often dictate the level of entertainment you get. Every event has a budget and you need to stay within it and meet your needs. However, hiring an entertainer based solely on them being the lowest priced can lead to disaster. Put things in a better perspective, you may wish to determine your “per-person” cost budgeted for entertainment or activities. The finest food and beverages will soon be a fading memory to your guests, but high quality entertainment creates an emotional impact and lasting impression. How much fun they had at your event is what creates lasting memories.
3. Be Prepared to Discuss Your Event and Your Budget
Any professional entertainer is going to be asking you questions about your event, such as what type of event you are having, how many guests you expect, if there is a theme to the event, a general timeline of the event, etc. By doing this, they are determining if their act is a good match for your group and function. They may even be able to present ideas to enhance your event that you hadn’t thought of yet! Ask the entertainer if they offer any special packages. Your entertainer may have a package that will make your event extra special. By discussing your budget with them, you are also finding out if they are within your price range. If so you can move on with the process; if not, you are saving everyone time and should call the next entertainer on your list.
4. Request References and Promotional Material
If after your initial contact with the entertainer you feel comfortable with them and you both agree that there is a possibility that they will be a good match for your group, ask them for references and promotional materials. You will find that most entertainers have websites that will contain most of the promotional materials, if not all of it. If an entertainer cannot provide you with references then DO NOT engage this performer.